1. technology and computing

PROJECT DETAILS
Project Title
Virtual Reality Based Microsurgery Simulation System for Neurosurgical Training
Project Summary
This project sets out to develop a virtual reality based microsurgery simulation system with the aim to
support skills training in neurosurgery. Computer-based surgical simulations enable a no risk
environment to patient for surgical skills practice, refinement and case repetition.
In this project, we will develop computational algorithms with a research prototype system to solve some
fundamental challenges, namely simulation speed, accuracy and realism, the three intertwined aspects
that impact on the effectiveness of medical simulations. The project will have the following three stages:
Stage 1: Building a simulation platform based on 3D hardware accelerated graphics programming
pipeline to enable the capability of real-time processing of mixed and complex geometrical structures of
soft tissues. The essential requirement of the 3D graphics simulation environment is the interactive
visualisation and realistic display of brain tissues and soft body structures.
Stage 2: Developing realistic soft tissue interactions and responses to surgical instruments.
Stage 3: Modelling the delicate feedback given by bipolar forceps while interacting with the brain tissues
during operations with research focus on modelling the frictions and contacts between the soft tissue and
the instruments with a haptic rendering algorithm that is capability of real-time computations.
The final result will be a demonstrable simulation prototype system with a preliminary evaluation
conducted in the Teaching Hospital with feedback from medical students and trainees doctors.
Academic Impact
In this project, we target the three main components of medical simulation system: The graphics system, model
behaviour/tissue-tool interactions, and haptic feedback to meet the demand for simulation realism and
computational speed required by complex surgical simulations, hence, the three intertwined computational aspects
that greatly impact on the effectiveness and the usefulness of VR-based training. We propose innovative
approaches to solving these challenging issues as a whole rather than treating them as separate individual
problems. The proposed simulation platform that integrates research algorithms will serve as a test bed for
implementation, testing and evaluations, which enables multidisciplinary team collaborations. The project will
establish a new collaboration in the UK involving leading researchers in medical simulation and close research
collaborations with NHS neurosurgery consultants and doctors, who have identified the needs and specifications of
the project. This project introduces the latest computer graphics, physically-based simulation and haptics techniques
to microsurgical neurosurgery scenario that has not yet been addressed by others. This will lead to publications in
leading journals and conferences.
Societal Impact
By developing realistic and accurate VR-based microsurgery simulator with the goal for neurosurgery training
curriculum, the system will allow trainees greater exposure to complex surgical treatment scenarios in a cost
effective, safe, reproducible and controlled training environment with unlimited increase of case-load experiences in
PhD Project Description
May 2015
various patient scenarios. The project will contribute to a wide range of community and societal objectives which will
be primarily through enhanced patient outcomes and quality of treatment through gained competency in advanced
surgecal skills.
The project will impact a number of stakeholders including patients, health authorities, and small and medium sized
enterprises in high tech IT sectors and software development companies . There is a real need in more effective
training in terms of training methodology and the cost. Skills training for junior doctors and maintaining skills in
experienced doctors are equally important. Research results shown that virtual reality based training improves
patient safety, reduces errors and increases operating room performance, thereby reducing the overall cost of
operations. The research results will benefit software developers in medical simulation sector by providing them
specific knowledge and technology to produce advanced training systems for training high precision and high
patient-risk procedures in the domain of advanced surgical technology such as microsurgery in neurosurgery.
Training Opportunities
The PhD student will gain following core research skills by completing this project:
1)
Research skills in developing real-time 3D virtual reality applications in advanced medical simulation topics.
This includes skills in literature review of the latest research publications and skills in studying and investigating
advanced computational algorithms and 3D real-time graphics software design and development.
2)
Research skills in writing research publications in forms of conference and journal papers. Research
presentation and communication skills in both academic community and public engagement through presentations
of research papers at international conferences and delivery of talks and presentation at the University and national
events.
3)
Research skills in conducting team research project within a multidisciplinary team and collaborating,
communicating and interacting with people within or outside the university.
4)
Research ethics training offered by the University and the awareness of research ethics.
SUPERVISORY TEAM
First Supervisor
Dr Wen Tang
Additional Supervisors
Prof Nigel W John, School of Computer Science, Bangor University, UK
Mr Nicholas Phillips, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Director of Postgraduate
Training, Leeds General Infirmary University Teaching Hospital.
Recent publications by
supervisors relevant to this
project
[1] W Tang and T R Wan (2014) “Constrained Soft Tissue Simulation for Virtual
Surgical Simulation.” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, DOI
10.1109/TBME.2014.2326009.
[2] W Tang, T R Wan, D Gould, T How, and N W John (2012) “A Real-time
Nonlinear Elastic Approach to Simulating Guide-wire and Catheter Insertions
Based on Cosserat Rod.” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol
59(8), 2211- 2218.
[3] W Tang, P Lagadec, D Gould, T R Wan T How (2010) “A Realistic Elastic
Rod Model for Real-time Simulation of Minimally Invasive Vascular
Interventions” The Visual Computer vol 20(9), 1157-1165
[4] D Huang, W Tang, T R Wan et al (2011) ” A New Approach to Haptic
Rendering for Real-time Simulation of Guidewires and Catheters for Minimally
Invasive Medical Procedures” , Journal of Computer Animation and Virtual
World, vol. 22, 2-3, pp. 261-268 , Willey.
[5] W Tang and T R Wan (2012): “Simulation of Deformable Solids in Interactive
Virtual Reality Applications.” ACM VRST 2012, The 18th ACM Symposium on
Virtual Reality Software and Technology, Dec 10-12, Toronto, Canada.
[6] T R Wan, W Tang, and D Huang (2012) “Real-time Simulation of 1-D
PhD Project Description
May 2015
Flexible Objects in Virtual Environments.” ACM VRST 2012-The 18th ACM
Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology, Dec 10-12, Toronto,
Canada.
[7] T. R. Coles, D. Meglan, N. W. John, "The Role of Haptics in Medical Training
Simulators: A Survey of the State of the Art". IEEE Transactions on Haptics, vol.
4, no. 1, pp. 51-66, Jan.-Mar. 2011, doi:10.1109/TOH.2010.19
[8] L. ap Cenydd, N.W. John, M. Bloj, A. Walter, N.I. Phillips. Visualizing the
Surface of a Living Human Brain. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications,
vol.32, no.2, pp.55-65, March-April 2012, doi: 10.1109/MCG.2011.105
[9] Villard PF1, Vidal FP, ap Cenydd L, Holbrey R, Pisharody S, Johnson S,
Bulpitt A, John NW, Bello F, Gould D. "Interventional radiology virtual simulator
for liver biopsy" Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2014 Mar;9(2):255-67. doi:
10.1007/s11548-013-0929-0. Epub 2013 Jul 24.
[10] Jaffer, Usman, Nigel W. John, and Nigel Standfield. "Surgical Trainee
Opinions in the United Kingdom Regarding a Three-Dimensional Virtual
Mentoring Environment (MentorSL) in Second Life: Pilot Study". JMIR Serious
Games 1, no. 1 (2013): e2.
[11] T.R. Coles, N.W. John, D.A. Gould and D.G. Caldwell, "Integrating Haptics
with Augmented Reality in a Femoral Palpation and Needle Insertion Training
Simulation" IEEE Transactions on Haptics: Special Issue on Haptics in Medicine
and Clinical Skill Acquisition, vol. 4., no. 3, pp 199-209, May-Jun 2011, doi:
10.1109/TOH.2011.32
[12] V. Luboz, C.J. Hughes, D.A. Gould, N.W. John, F. Bello, "Real-time
Seldinger Technique Simulation in Complex Vascular Models", International
Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery. Vol.4 No. 6, p 589-596.
2009. DOI=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11548-009-0376-0
[13] N.W. John, "Design and Implementation of Medical Training Simulators",
Virtual Real. 12, 4 (Dec. 2008), 269-279. DOI= http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10055008-0101-2
[14] F.P. Vidal, N.W. John, A.E.Healey, D.A. Gould, "Simulation of Ultrasound
Guided Needle Puncture using Patient Specific Data with 3D Textures and
Volume Haptics", Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds. Vol 19, Issue 2,
pp111-127, 2008, Online ISSN: 1546-427X, Print ISSN: 1546-4261. DOI:
10.1002/cav.217
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES
To discuss this opportunity further, please contact Dr Wen Tang via email: [email protected]
ELIGBILITY CRITERIA
All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of an honours degree at
Upper Second Class (2:1) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or
equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the BU Research Degree Application 2015 and submit it via email to the Postgraduate Research
Administrator for Admissions Suzy Kempinski - [email protected] by 26 June 2015. Further
information on the application process can be found at www.bournemouth.ac.uk/phd-2015
PhD Project Description
May 2015